First walk in the big outside world!!!

[Sheila]

Well, my daughter took Lottie for her first walk this morning......well, I say walk. She got out onto the front garden and Lottie laid down ....with perseverance, my daughter Lucy, got her to go a couple of steps :roll:

I went out to join them and Lottie did eventually trot a little way.

She is a very confident pup in the home, but she did seem a llittle overawed by the big outside world.
She has been out and about a lot but I suppose it is different suddenly being on the ground.

We are going to try shen Lucy gets in from school and take Goldie to give some support. I might also take a few treats

I'll see how we go.

We have the first puppy socialisation class tomorrow night, so I hope she is feeling a little more relaxed by then.

I'll post a couple of pictures of this mornings walk in the gallery.                    

[lorri]

Awww..im sure it wont be long till your opening the front door and shes bounding outside. Jarvis isnt afraid of anything he's absoluelty mad i sometime wish he showed some signs of caution but hey!!! he is what he is and we love him.

Anyway good luck for the classes and looking forward to seeing the pics.

Lorraine and Jarvis                    

[bluesmum]

Yayyyy first time out in the big wide world  :shock:

I think we all expect our babies to be as excited as we are on their first outing but it never actually goes to plan does it Sheila  :roll:  :wink:  

Wishing you lots of happy walkies together                    

[Pipers Mummy]

Well done Lottie - you first brave steps in the outside world    

Wishing you lots of exciting adventures  :wink:

Love from,

Piper
xxx                    

[Sheila]

We tried again when Lucy got in from school and we took Goldie along.

After a hesitant start, Lottie was much better.

We let her off the lead, well away from any roads, and she had lots of fun running along with Goldie. She obviously felt much more confident with her bigger pal along!!

You are right Maria, I do expect them to be all excited and eager to see everything, I just need to give her some time.

I think I will walk my two together for now, I can always carry Lottie part of the way, I think it will be too long for her otherwise.

I took some small pieces of her food to entice her back to us when she was off the lead.
What are peoples thoughts about letting off the lead when young. I was told when Goldie was little that the earlier its done the better, because they naturally want to keep you in sight. Obviously Lottie hasnt learnt recall yet, but she did come happily tonight. AM I doing the best thing or am I better waiting until she has been to classes and learnt a bit more :?:
I felt quite happy with her off the lead, but Lucy was rather anxious, but then she is her baby                    

[Laura]

I let Brogan off lead from the very start and will do so with Bailey - I did make 2 mistakes though first time round that I hope not to repeat  - 1st I got a little complacent when Brogan followed all the time - at 5 months he got more independant and I had to up recall training big style :shock: !  I shouldn't have waited that long!!

2nd mistake for myself was letting Brogan off lead all the time - he's not a big puller now but his lead manners could be so much better.  I live right next to the field and nature trail so the lead was never a priority.  Bailey will be doing a lap of honour before he's let loose!! :wink:

I will walk my 2 together some of the times but will also walk separately.  I like leaving Bailey home alone for short periods to prevent separation anxiety and I think Brogan appreciates his time alone occasionally.  I also take Bailey out and about now without Brogan (carried at the moment) so that he can indepandantly face the outside world - Brogan might not always available for back up.                    

[Laura]

How is the clicker training going Sheila?  Hope you and Lottie are getting on well with it.  I introduced Bailey to it yesterday - he loved charging the clicker!! :wink:   We are working on a nice easy sit now.                    

[PennyB]

Letting them off is fine. I practised recall with mine at an early age as well. Much better to practise that now rather than wait until they've run off and its too late. I see far too many on the park who do this rather than calling them back at regular intervals so they also don't 2nd guess why you want them back (some will only do this when they want the dog back on their lead so they associate recall with something negative) or the dog's gone tooo far away to hear/care. I let them play a little and call them back, let them play call them back, and just keep doing it. Each time they come back they get lots of praise/treat/toy/game and I vary it. Hide and seek in a safe area works as well as they worry if they can't see you and so always keep an eye out.

Remember you may have to teach them recall again when they are in their teens as they have more confidence then and are trying it on.                    

[Sheila]

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm pleased I'm doing the right thing letting Lottie off lead.
I'll make sure to carry treats and toys with me.

The clicker training is going well Laura.
Have been using it with SIT and Lottie seems very receptive, she seems to be a quick learner......plus anything connected with food gets her attention real quick

We have out first puppy class tonight, so fingers crossed.                    

[lorri]

I totally agree ive let Jarvis off the lead since he was first allowed out intially starting with walking my sisters dogs who is great off the lead to teach him the so called ropes!!! Jarvis isnt the best still at recall and gets easily distracted but were getting there.

good luck for the puppy classes god there hard work!!!                    

[taniac]

Definitely agree with letting off the lead early (in a safe area).  I have done so with both of mine, we do have to reinforce the recall, because Neo can be selectively deaf.  I find hide and seek a very useful tool to make sure he's paying attention!!

I'm glad I let mine off the lead, because I met the couple who had Neo's litter mate, and at 6 months old they still hadn't let her off the lead... they were scared she would come back.  At least when they're puppies they tend to stick close to you and then you can use clicker and rewards for recalls.                    

[Sheila]

Yes, I am so pleased I let her off the lead.

I took her out on her own yesterday and with Goldie today and she doesnt run very far off and comes bounding back when I call her
She automatically sits at my feet, so I click and treat.
I'm so proud of her.

She is actually much better at recall than Goldie :oops: ...who goes selectively deaf.

Goldie was never clicker trained and even though she is probably a bit old now, I am trying her with the clicker as well.
She is starting to get the idea and that returning to me to get a treat is worthwhile

So I was expecting my older dog to teach my youngster, but sometimes it works the other way                    

[TOPAZ BILLY]

Abby has had her first journey out into the big wide world and did not behave as expected :shock: I thought she would be cautious and we would maybe only get to the top of the road........... Noooooooooo she is completly fearless :roll: she tried to chase next doors cat, said hello to the neighbours bull terrierX and even batted her nose to get her to play.  

I was talked by my sister into letting her off the lead on her front lawn yesterday as it is surrounded with a wall within two seconds she was wriggling through the gate and dashing into the woods, she would only come back when we sent Billy to fetch her :shock: really nervous now of letting her off the lead, so we are going to practice recall all round the house and garden this week.   Wondering if a long line would be a better idea?

The good news is the housetraining has now clicked and we have been dry for 3 days

Michelle                    

[Silver Surfer (indiesnan)]

Ooooo!! the little minx Michelle  :wink: I'm sure she'll improve as the days go by. Everthing is so new and exciting to her.                      

[PennyB]

If you stand in  the middle of your park then that is often more intimidating to them than in your house and garden and so they will often stay close by. Walking away from your dog may seem the wrong thing to do but they will often follow you as they're scared you're going to leave them.

Sometimes practising recall outside and then start running backwards as they come towards you can be useful as well (usually wildly jumping up and down like a mad thing so you attract their attention).